Stephanie LaCava reports on the Christian Dior show

There’s nothing more romantic and French than a history of existential pilots, like Antoine de Saint Exupery or Romain Gary. Was clever Raf Simons purposefully nodding to these national treasures?

The Dior show notes cite what seems to be a disclaimer: 'eschewing strict historical accuracy and embracing an amalgamation in the imagination…' Not to worry! This is couture! What seemed sacred, however, was a kind of reverence for aviators, cosmonauts and explorers. There’s nothing more romantic and French than a history of existential pilots, like Antoine de Saint Exupery or Romain Gary. Was clever Raf Simons purposefully nodding to these national treasures? The venue for the show was more space age than ever, almost planetary, with but one species of flower rather than the requisite jungle. All while orchids were set against mirrored walls for an effect that was colder and more distant than seasons past. It was as if we were coming up onto something new without forsaking that hallowed, storied past. Even new jargon came from the atelier: 'alien fur,' the result of a technique, which creates 'resin punctuated fringe.' And so, the models came out in unconventional formation, walking without a runway. The more traditional, 18th century charged looks were white Cinderella worthy skirts and pleated silk and stitched jacquard outfits. Then came the expected flight suits, the sort that the Little Prince’s lady friend would have worn: in pale pastels with embellished belts and requisite zippers and pockets. There were also countless coats, some streamlined, others embellished, all dreamy and long in fur or wool crash landing with contrasting space age shoes. It was all strong, military or air force-like with smooth lines and a spirit of adventure and, of course, frothy finale dresses for partying on Asteroid B612.